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<br />..6 <br /> <br />. ' <br /> <br />-2- <br /> <br />Staff Ecologist Dr. Richard B. Schwendinger reported that the <br /> <br />major environmental studies required by the Interior Department are underway. <br /> <br />He said that a 60-meter and,three 10-meter towers for meteorology and air quality <br /> <br />measurements are installed and are gathering data. In addition, upper air <br /> <br />studies using pilot balloons to 3,000 feet above the earth's surface are <br /> <br />being run 4 times daily for 15 days each quarter. Tracer studies for down-- <br /> <br />wind effects up to 20 miles in distance will be carried out once a year. <br /> <br />With particular reference to air quality, Schwendinger said that <br /> <br />instrumented trailers are currently measuring the air for hydrocarbons, <br /> <br />carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulphide, <br /> <br />particulates and other ingredients. He noted that Rio Blanco is measuring <br /> <br />the air in greater detail than required by the lease. <br /> <br />Aquatic and terrestia1 biology studies have begun to catalog and <br /> <br />identify physical characteristics of flora and fauna. Terrestia1 studies are <br /> <br />being made up to 5 miles from the tract and the aquatic efforts are covering <br /> <br />flora, fauna and water chemistry up to 20 miles away on the White River. <br /> <br />Other studies, some underwsy, include soils, revegetation, archae1ogy, <br /> <br />seismicity, noise, secenics and aesthetics, formulation of a game management <br /> <br />plan and toxicology. <br />Schwendinger said the rationale for the environments 1 program is to <br /> <br />"carryon a competent and relevant scientific program to comply with the spirit <br /> <br />as well as the letter of the lease sgreement to protect both the public and the <br />company. II <br /> <br />Charles O. Spielman, Vice President of Mining, reported that the core <br /> <br /> <br />hole drilling phase for mining and geological purposes is completed with 13 <br /> <br /> <br />holes, Spielman said early indications are that there will probably not be <br /> <br />O~2G <br />